Several gang members with known associations with rap superstar Cardi B are involved in a massive Brooklyn indictment.
Major Gang Takedown
Fourteen alleged members of the Blood sets 5’9 Brims and Bloodhound Brims have been indicted on murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy charges. The gangs, linked to Star Brim, a longtime close friend of Cardi B, are accused of orchestrating violent attacks in an ongoing feud with rival groups.
Authorities say the indictment stems from a years-long wave of bloodshed. Since February 2021, the group has allegedly carried out 19 shootings, wounding nine people, including four innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire. The violence escalated following the April 2021 killing of Bloodhound Brim member Davonte Lewis, leading to retaliatory strikes across multiple Brooklyn precincts.
Investigative Efforts and Law Enforcement Response
The NYPD and Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office built their case using intercepted jailhouse calls, social media activity, and music videos. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez credited strategic enforcement for last year’s record-low gun violence, pointing to gang takedowns like this as a key factor.
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The indictment details several high-profile incidents, including:
- May 2021: A Folk Nation rival was shot multiple times.
- Halloween 2022: Drill rapper and alleged gang member Jamel Nicholson was fatally gunned down.
- 2023: A sneaker store shooting left two civilians injured.
The suspects, ranging in age from 15 to 30, now face serious felony charges.
Star Brim’s Connection to the Case
Star Brim, born Yonette Respass, has long been associated with the 5’9 Brims. She previously pleaded guilty to federal racketeering conspiracy for her role in a 2018 attack on two Queens bartenders, reportedly ordered on Cardi B’s behalf. Once described as the gang’s “Godmother,” she was sentenced to just over a year in prison.
While Cardi B has publicly defended her friendship with Brim, court documents have repeatedly stated that the rapper had no involvement in the crimes. Brim remains under strict supervised release conditions, barring any further gang affiliations.
